Thread: Newbie Question - Hanging Hair Test?

I should be receiving my first straight razor tomorrow and I wanted to test the blade sharpness. Could you guys recommend different ways to test if it's ready to shave (I know many say that the only way to see if it's shave-ready is to actually shave with it, but I'm curious about other ways as well)?

How would I perform the "hanging hair test" or any of the other tests you guys would employ yourselves?

Thanks.

If your razor didn't come through one of the members of this forum, chances are pretty good that it won't be ready to shave with.

First thing I'd try is to see if it'll shave your arm hair effortlessly with no pressure. If there's tugging on your arm hair, it's not shave ready.

Do a search on "hanging hair test." There are several good threads where we have described it at length, and you'll find out more there than I can tell you now.

Basically, I lay the razor on my desk on its spine so the edge points straight up. Then I take a hair, holding one end, and lower it onto the blade. Try it several times from different angles. Generally, a sharp blade will catch and cut the hair. A dull blade will just bend it or push it aside.

Tell us some more about the razor and where you bought it. We can probably tell you from that info whether it's ready to go or not.

Good luck,
Josh

thanks for the reply josh. well i'm certainly sure it'll be shave-ready when it arrives seeing as how it's coming from tony miller over at well-shaved gentleman. it's the 5/8 dovo razor that comes with the starter kits. i was just curious for the future when i'll have to do the sharpening myself and i'd need a way to gauge when it's sharp enough for use. if any of you guys have used this razor, i'd love to hear about your experiences with it.

thanks,
KP

I actually got a 5/8 DOVO Bismarck from Tony and it was a great shaver. The razor will need a refresh as soon as your shave comfort starts deteriorating. For average growth, it's after 7-10 shaves but it can be anywhere between 2 and 20. The ultimate test is the shave test.

KP,

Tony's razors should definitely be shave ready. When you get it, take some hairs and practice the hanging hair test with it. That way you'll know what a well-honed blade will do with your hair. Then try shaving your arm hair with it in different spots. Then shave with it.

The hardest part of learning to hone, I think, is learning to evaluate an edge. This will give you a jump start on that process.

Good luck,
Josh

okay thanks. well i'm anxiously awaiting the package from tony so i can get started. i'll post about how it goes b/c i'm sure i'll have a bunch of questions after starting out.

okay so i got the razor from tony last night, and i tried the hanging hair test right out of the box. i took a hair and lowered it onto the razor and it simply bent the hair, never cutting it. the HHT is supposed to split the hair right? it wasn't doing that at all. i guess it's not as sharp as it should be?

i tried stropping it a few times on the paddle strop but that didn't change the result either.

Originally Posted by KP16356

i guess it's not as sharp as it should be?

.

Given the reputation Tony has and how well he maintains it that probably wasn't the problem. I can never do the HHT either not with a Lynn honed razor or one by Joe or one honed by myself. Some hair is just wrong (too fine/tough) for the HHT to work.

I'll second Tim's explanation. Shave with it and if it pulls or gives you trouble, then contact Tony.

I agree. Tony's razor should be just fine. Maybe you're one of the unlucky ones who won't be able to use the HHT.

I'd add that you should probably try shaving with it for several days, because pulling can also be caused by bad technique. It'll get better as you do.

Good luck,
Josh